Maternal benefit of corticosteroid therapy in patients with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome: impact on the rate of regional anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the impact of glucocorticoid administration on the rate of regional anesthesia in women with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Maternal records of pregnancies with HELLP syndrome managed between April 1994 and December 1999 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were identified with antepartum HELLP syndrome and 46 (66%) received glucocorticoids. The presence of thrombocytopenia at admission and the interval from presentation to delivery was evaluated to assess the impact of glucocorticoid use. In the 37 women who had platelet counts of <90,000/mm3, 0 in the untreated group (0 of 11) versus 42% in the steroid group (11 of 26) received regional anesthetic, P =.015. Furthermore, the rate of regional anesthesia increased from 0 in the untreated group delivered within 24 hours (n = 10) to 57% (8 of 14) in the glucocorticoid group, in which women attained a 24-hour latency from presentation to delivery, P =.006. The need for general anesthesia also decreased significantly in treated women who attained a 24-hour latency compared to untreated women who did not, 100% (n = 7) versus 22% (n = 9), P =.003. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of glucocorticoids increases the use of regional anesthesia in women with antepartum HELLP syndrome who have thrombocytopenia, particularly in those who achieve a latency of 24 hours before delivery.

An in vitro model and case report that used gelatin sponge to restore amniotic fluid volume after spontaneous premature rupture of the membranes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project was to study an in vitro model for plugging membrane defects with gelatin sponge and to develop a method with which to use this material to treat premature rupture of the membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Fetal membranes were fixed over the opening of a flask that was filled with saline solution and gelatin sponge. Defects of various sizes were created, and the usefulness of differing sizes of gelatin sponge to obstruct the defects was observed. This technique was then applied to a case of previable, spontaneous premature rupture of the membranes. RESULTS: Fifteen amniotomies were performed in the in vitro model. The gelatin sponge obstructed all defects less than 7 mm in length, when pieces up to 1 x 1 cm in dimension (n = 8 amniotomies) were used. For larger defects or those defects with a complex shape (such as cruciate), gelatin sponge was not effective at arresting fluid loss (n = 4 amniotomies). An inspection of larger gelatin sponge pieces, after instillation through a 12-gauge angiocatheter, revealed 36% (15 of 42 pieces) of 1 x 1 - cm pieces remained intact. A case of spontaneous, previable premature rupture of the membranes was treated with this material. A favorable outcome was observed. CONCLUSION: Gelatin sponge is successful at arresting the egress of fluid through membrane defects when smaller defects are present. Complex or larger linear defects may not be treated by this method alone and necessitate adjuvant therapies. This therapeutic strategy can be applied to cases of previable, spontaneous premature rupture of the membranes.

Impact of high-dose corticosteroid therapy for patients with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether corticosteroid administration to patients with antepartum HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome would alter laboratory values diagnostic for the disease. STUDY DESIGN: Cases of 37 women with antepartum HELLP syndrome managed between March 1995 and July 1999 were reviewed. Patients were classified on the basis of exposure to corticosteroids and to the dose used. Group 1 did not receive corticosteroids. Group 2 received a standard corticosteroid dosage regimen for promotion of fetal lung maturation. Group 3 received a high-dose corticosteroid regimen of >24 mg/d (most frequently 10 mg dexamethasone as an intravenous bolus dose every 6 hours for 2 doses followed by 6 mg as an intravenous bolus dose every 6 hours for 2 to 4 doses). Antepartum changes in laboratory values from diagnosis to delivery were evaluated by means of the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Eleven patients did not receive corticosteroids, 15 were given a standard dose, and 11 received high-dose therapy. For each laboratory value assessed (platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase activity, and lactate dehydrogenase activity), the corticosteroid groups differed significantly from the no-treatment group (P

Recurrence of Treacher Collins' syndrome with sonographic findings.

Treacher Collins' syndrome, or mandibulofacial dysostosis, is a rare, autosomal-dominant disorder. We describe the recurrence of this anomaly in the fetus of a patient who previously had delivered a severely affected infant. The ultrasonographic findings of hydramnios, absence of fetal swallowing movements, and poor growth of the biparietal diameter and head circumference permitted us to suggest the diagnosis antenatally of another affected child.

Prenatal diagnosis of chondrodysplasia punctata by sonography.

The rhizomelic form of chondrodysplasia punctata is a lethal autosomal recessive disorder of unknown cause. It is characterized by marked shortening and bowing of the proximal limbs, vertebral column abnormalities, eye and skin defects, severe mental retardation, and recurrent infection. Previously, antenatal diagnosis of this condition was made by radiography. We describe ultrasonographic findings, specifically stippling of the proximal humerus, which permitted us to identify the condition in a fetus at 28 weeks' gestation.